Weddings On A Budget – The Best Ways To Save Money When Getting Married

Posted by:Bankruptcy Specialist onApril 6, 2018

Most of us have a fairly good understanding that weddings can be a costly exercise, but do you actually understand how much the average wedding costs in Australia? A little over $36,000, according to Australia’s Money Smart website. And that was in 2012! Today, it’s likely somewhere around the $50,000 mark. I guess if you have wealthy parents it wouldn’t be a problem, but unfortunately many of us don’t.

Let’s admit it, $50,000 is a huge amount of money! You could buy a franchise, put a down payment on a property, repay your student loans, or perhaps travel the world! The fact is though, weddings are a celebration of two individuals who commit to devoting the rest of their lives with each other. Sure, we ‘d all like to have the wedding of our dreams, but we shouldn’t forget what’s really important.

Even though I’ve never married myself, I have a close circle of friends, and two of them managed to pull off the most memorable weddings on a shoestring. Naturally, it didn’t feature extravagant bridesmaid parties and catering for 300 guests, but it was unique, intimate, and everyone who came had the time of their lives. If you’re planning a wedding on a budget and looking for ways to save money, then here’s how.

Location There’s loads of ways to save thousands of dollars on your wedding location. One of the most stylish weddings I attended was in the garden of a friend’s home. Other alternatives you could consider is hiring a community park for the day, or perhaps the beach. The ambience is spectacular, you can customise your wedding to exactly how you want it, and the costs are extremely low. If you decide to have your wedding in a public area, just remember to talk with the local council and make reservations well ahead of time.

Wedding Date Even though the majority of people prefer their weddings on a Saturday, the prices of venues are far more costly on Saturday than any other day of the week. Think about having your wedding on a Friday or Sunday where Monday is a public holiday. The time of year will also have a substantial influence on the fees of your venue. If you’re dead-set on having your reception in an indoor area, then schedule your wedding date in winter and you’ll save about a third of the costs for venue hire itself.

Photography The price of a professional photographer will commonly cost around $4,000 for the whole day. With the incredible specs of smartphone cameras these days, think of hiring a professional photographer only for the formalities and ask your friends to take photos over the course of your wedding. You can create a hashtag on Twitter and ask your friends to post their photos, ensuring that there’ll be loads of natural photos that reflect the true spirit of your special day.

Food & Drinks If you really intend to save money, then catering businesses are your key target! They charge exorbitant prices and aren’t really necessary whatsoever. Contemplate organising your own food and drinks and don’t hesitate to go against the grain here.

You could hire a wood fire pizza truck that serves gourmet pizza, or look at hiring somebody to roast a whole pig in the ground and make the sides by yourself. For me, there’s nothing better than a pulled pork burger with delicious sauce and cheesy smashed potatoes! Remember that most of the time, being unique is far more memorable than being customary. Equally, try to find a venue that permits you to bring your own alcohol. You’ll save a pile of money this way, and you’ll have the opportunity to arrange a sizeable discount when buying in bulk.

Don’t Borrow Money It’s not out of the ordinary for newlyweds to borrow money to pay for their weddings, not knowing how difficult it can be to repay. Not only will you be borrowing money for the wedding itself, but also interest on top of that, which can often times take years to repay. If you’ve had a luxurious wedding and found yourself in financial difficulties, always seek financial advice sooner rather than later. The sooner you act, the more possibilities will be available. For any financial guidance regarding your personal situation, speak to Bankruptcy Maitland on 1300 818 575, or visit our website for further info: http://www.bankruptcy-maitland.com.au/